Due to open late June 2021.  More information soon.

​He opened a VHS rental store with the aim of having just 500 members. But Stewart ended up with 80,000 members and one of the biggest DVD collections in the world.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/125309136/film-lover-vhs-trailblazer-and-alice-in-videoland-founder-paul-stewart-dies?cid=app-iPad


Sent from my iPad

 Lang Masters bids farewell to the Hollywood Cinemas in Sumner, Christchurch 
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/they-have-like-films-retiring-christchurch-cinema-legend-seeks-successor-theatre

An interesting, rather pessimistic piece from the Spinoff, about the lovely Roxy:
https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/22-05-2021/well-miss-our-cinemas-when-theyre-gone/
Peter McKenzie was also interviewed by Jesse Mulligan on RNZ Afternoons at www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018797874/cinemas-struggling-for-survival-around-nz

1. The Majestic in Taihape, which continues to screen a range of interesting new releases.
2. The Civic in Otaki, which is undergoing extensive renovations.  My hope is that screenings will return there, both for the Maoriland Film Festival and a regular programme.

.... but I am keeping an eye on new developments, in Oamaru and other places, and planning another trip to the South Island in July.  In the meantime, I have had several memorable cinema experiences; the centenary celebrations at Everybody's Theatre in Opunake and, more recently,  joining a near-full house in the Civic in Queen Street, for the premiere of Florian Habicht's new film JAMES & ISEY.  A magnificent setting for a magnificent film, which is now in general release.  Do get to see it.
I would love for the Civic to do more film screenings so I was pleased to see that Doc Edge 2021 has scheduled documentary screenings in mid-June. 

Check out "Reel Life'  feature by filmmaker and writer  Tom Augustine, in the thankfully-revived monthly North & South March 2021 issue.  Tom features several of my favourite cinemas, such as  Everybody's in Opunake, King's in Stratford, Majestic in Taihape, but also laments the loss of others.